Ankiel made the successful conversion from lefthanded starter to power-hitting center fielder following the 2004 season. His once-promising career on the mound—he was a second-round pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1997—ended because of bouts of wildness and Tommy John surgery. He threw nine wild pitches in the 2000 postseason between the NLDS and NLCS, including five in his Game 1 start against the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS.

Rick Ankiel is considering giving pitching another go. (AP Photo)

In parts of four seasons as a pitcher, Ankiel went 13-10 with a 3.90 ERA and 269 strikeouts in 242 innings. His best season was 2000, when he went 11-7 with a 3.50 ERA and 194 strikeouts in 175 innings.

Ankiel hit .264 with 25 homers and drove in 71 runs in 2008, his best season offensively. He was an asset in the outfield, playing solid defense and flashing a strong throwing arm.

This past season with the Nationals, Ankiel hit .228 with five homers and 15 RBIs in 68 games before being released.

If Ankiel decides to give pitching another shot, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch speculates the Cardinals will consider signing him.